tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31136053239125161132009-10-17T20:17:40.646-06:00"If you don't fight so hard, it doesn't hurt so bad."SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.comBlogger255125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-79164830012889198862009-01-14T22:29:00.003-06:002009-01-14T23:05:50.360-06:00

So. I've been out of the blog'n scene as of late. Between work and getting sucked into Facebook, I've lacked the necessary time to devote to updating the blog. However, today is a day worth noting as it marks the 2 year anniversary of when I was recalled into active duty. It's hard to believe that it was two years ago. And only a year ago, I was getting ready to head back to the sandbox

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-14526164641998832742008-11-27T06:30:00.003-06:002008-11-27T07:07:46.276-06:00

In a few hours a multitude of people will awaken from their slumber and begin a day feasting, the purpose of which is to celebrate thanksgiving for all they are blessed with and to see how many casseroles they can stuff themselves with and still have room for dessert. I for one am thankful that I am home this turkey day, able to sit down and share a meal with my family and relax in the comforts

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-41066363642937958442008-11-11T06:35:00.002-06:002008-11-11T07:24:13.635-06:00

For those not in the know, today is Veteran's Day. For most it will mean a day off or maybe just reduced traffic for those whose employers require them to work. They might notice the blurbs on the morning news show or maybe even see a few more flags flown than normal, but for the most part they will be oblivious of the significance of this 11th day of the 11th month of the year. They will go

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-61386506360965966752008-11-05T07:01:00.008-06:002008-11-05T11:48:27.940-06:00

Quiscalus quiscula - Latin for "Pain in the Ass"I hate grackles and they hate me. For those who don’t know, grackles are loud, obnoxious, scavenger birds that destroy local bird habitats and are just a plain nuisance to everyone. Do you want to know why they totally understand my hatred for them? Because I shoot them with my pellet gun in my backyard. Do you want to know why I am fully aware

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-10818875698763627932008-11-05T06:29:00.002-06:002008-11-05T06:31:02.265-06:00

The election is over and now everyone can go about their daily lives without being bombarded by the plethora of election propaganda that assaulted our senses this past year. Whether or not your candidate won is at this point beyond your control. If you took the time to exercise your right to vote, good for you. If you decided that your vote didn’t matter, then you gave up your right to complain

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-81155919970559311162008-11-04T07:59:00.004-06:002008-11-04T08:46:31.660-06:00

Go vote. This means you. If you haven't done so already, do it today. Don't give the same party line of why your vote doesn't count or that you don't like the candidates. Too many people have fought to give you this very important right and to make a lame excuse of why you aren't going to exercise it is a slap in their faces. This is an important election and you don't want to look back on this

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-78357324006156094872008-11-03T08:01:00.001-06:002008-11-04T08:42:54.404-06:00

With Veteran's Day only a week away, I was given this bit of information that was interesting enough to pass on. The Cliff Note's version is that Vets are now allowed to salute (something that was only reserved for people in uniform before). From the VA website:New Law Authorizes Veterans’ Salutes during National Anthem - October 30, 2008WASHINGTON -- Veterans and active-duty military not in

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-28981628922133579942008-11-02T07:43:00.003-06:002008-11-04T08:48:59.873-06:00

So Ryan completed his first (and only) full Iron-distance Triathlon. Not much to say but he kicked ass and we are happy to see that not only did he finish in a great time, he was also able to walk away from the event without the aid of a wheelchair or gurney.Congrats! 2.4 Miles of swimming was much better than standing on the cold beach 114 Miles of road biking (102 of it with sunglasses) 26.2

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-34961459605687567932008-10-31T19:12:00.002-06:002008-10-31T19:56:16.261-06:00

While my friends and family are either busy handing out candy, wrangling kids to houses to collect treats, or whoop'n it up at a party with friends or a companion, I am still in North Carolina. It's late on Friday of All Hallows Eve and I'm getting ready to play the role of support wagon for Ryan's first full Iron-distance triathlon. We are getting up early to hike it up to race start so sleep

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-66115407852225222912008-10-30T19:51:00.004-06:002008-11-04T08:18:00.915-06:00

North Carolina. I’ve never spent any significant time here having only driven through this state on my way from Virginia to Myrtle Beach a few years back. If it wasn’t for the race that my buddy Ryan is doing in Wilmington, I probably would not have a real reason to be here. We are staying at his folk’s beach house about a half hour away from the race and let me say, wow. I kind of like this

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-86416110533002035092008-10-30T03:59:00.003-06:002008-10-30T04:06:16.775-06:00

Soon I'll be leaving on a jet plane (don't know when I'll be back again). I am North Carolina bound to help support a buddy doing a full Ironman distance triathlon. Why people do these things is beyond me, but I'll be there to encourage him and to help bring his exhausted carcass home after the event.

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-61425212691951111622008-10-29T09:06:00.001-06:002008-10-29T12:41:46.658-06:00

So watching Charlie Brown last night wasn’t as magical as I remember it, but I suspect that you lose something as you get older and become a little more jaded. I too saw how the kids were a little mean to Charlie Brown and I have to say that I don’t remember the whole school election segment that followed the original show. I’m sure it was done to fill in the one hour time gap created by filling

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-65575970968394952008-10-29T01:23:00.000-06:002008-10-29T10:28:34.246-06:00

I’ve done my best to avoid the radio and most forms of music lately, but somehow there is a tune in my head that feels like the audible equivalent of hammering needles under my finger nails. If I could just get a Ms. O’conner from bellowing out periods of times (7 hours, 15 days), I would be most gracious.

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-11590720096976231242008-10-28T05:00:00.005-06:002008-10-28T18:03:28.024-06:00

Brrrr.When the weather gets cold, I am thankful that my truck has seat warmers. It might be a silly option to have, especially living in Texas, but I’m here to say that on mornings like this when the outside temperature gauge reads 38 degrees, it’s nice to hit the switch that will quickly turn my heat robbing leather seats into a toasty bum warmer. I usually keep it in the low setting because it

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-23463244653543925342008-10-26T22:04:00.000-06:002008-10-26T22:05:53.490-06:00

In an effort to occupy my mind and stay busy, I’ve spent the better part of this weekend assaulting my very large “to do” list of projects around the house. Nothing major like tearing down a wall or installing a bidet, but they are things that I’ve wanted to get to but never seemed to have the time for. From sun up to sun down I’ve unpacked straggler boxes that escaped the initial move, I

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-91502757989810144172008-10-24T07:03:00.007-06:002008-10-28T09:16:24.129-06:00

Today marks the end of the work week. Most people who work the usual Monday to Friday shift will be patiently waiting for the five o’clock whistle to start their weekend (except for people employed in retail, food service, hospitals and correctional facilities). So what do you do with those two days free with no obligations to that job that pays your bills? Well the possibilities are endless and

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-55529453031144640322008-10-23T07:45:00.005-06:002008-10-28T09:15:43.313-06:00

I found this quote today:"Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness." ~ Max EhrmannIt evoked memories of times in my life when I let fear get the better of me. This in turn motivated me to get a little more information about this quote (thank goodness for the internet).Mr. Ehrmann was a lawyer turned writer and whose most notable achievement was the poem “Desiderata”, Latin for "things

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-69993980210290614752008-10-22T09:21:00.006-06:002008-10-22T13:33:21.526-06:00

I woke up this morning at 5:00am, like I have for as long as I can remember, and I laid there contemplating the day ahead of me. The alarm on my watch is set for 5:20am in case I get too wrapped up in my meandering crack of dawn thoughts, but for the most part, I’m off the couch, turn off my brain, and put my body on autopilot to begin my weekday pre-work custom. I went to the bathroom, shaved,

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-56181152616396354092008-10-21T09:05:00.004-06:002008-10-22T09:36:28.221-06:00

I ran my first marathon over 10 years ago when I was but a young lieutenant in the Army. I don’t exactly recall why I made the decision to abuse my body for the 4 months leading up to the event and the race itself. It may have been the pressure exerted on me by my commander at the time who was a hard core runner himself, all 5 feet of him. It may have been a way for me to get in better shape. It

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-72213447448792430372008-10-19T21:04:00.005-06:002008-10-20T10:04:32.673-06:00

Madison the Wonder Mutt has made many an appearance here on the blog. From my battles with her chewing my stuff to her peeing on my leg when she didn’t want to listen, I have spent more time with her than I originally thought I would. I remember sitting in Iraq wondering how I was going to accept this new addition to my life. For starters, I’m allergic to animals and new puppies take a lot of

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-15785291789311147392008-10-18T07:35:00.000-06:002008-10-21T09:14:36.336-06:00

Life is not fair.When you are brought into this world, there is no written guarantee stapled to your birth certificate that states the world will treat you justly. Live your life by helping people and doing good deeds and you are bound to step in dog crap every now and then. Conversely, subside your days doing wicked or evil things and you will become a politician. This is by no means a new

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-42867498625696176262008-10-01T06:29:00.000-06:002008-10-09T06:50:36.259-06:00

The weekend was busy. In the span of two days, we not only managed to squeeze in a lot of people into spandex, but we also squeezed in a 75 mile bike ride through less than favorable conditions (thank you Tropical Depression Kyle) and have a backward wedding. I should explain... the wedding itself was not backwards in the sense that the bride wore a tux and the groom wore a dress. In fact, the

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-60417740398861490102008-09-24T06:18:00.002-06:002008-10-09T06:54:53.394-06:00

I figured it’s time to write something besides my battles with the Wonder Mutt. I’m heading to Delaware this weekend to ride in the Delaware Multiple Sclerosis “Bike to the Bay” 150. I think I wrote about this event last year while I was in the “sandbox” to bring awareness to Team Mary’s Mashers. This year I’ll only be able to ride half of the event due to a wedding that I need to be at on Sunday

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-342500902358318572008-08-25T09:19:00.002-06:002008-08-26T15:56:24.197-06:00

This is not a dumb animal.So I’m sitting in the apartment on Sunday night, kicking back and watching the closing ceremonies of the Olympics (my crazy Asian brethren really know how to make a visually appealing display) when Madison the Wonder Mutt decides to turn into Devil Dog. This is not an uncommon occurrence for her as she normally gets a burst of energy towards the closing of every evening.

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3113605323912516113.post-46735174832646703382008-08-05T09:41:00.004-06:002008-08-08T08:26:17.632-06:00

Returning from vacation is never fun. Returning from vacation to a house that has no air conditioning just plain sucks, especially when you live in Texas.While I was away playing army, a rule went into effect that states new housing have to be more energy efficient and cannot have an A/C unit that is less than 13 SEER. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, which means that the higher

SecretAsianManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00673173256924916857noreply@blogger.com2